Calorie Free Chocolate - Only Two More Days!

Today and tomorrow (August 30 and 31) are the last two days of the yummy "Sweeten the Deal" special with Close To My Heart.  Place a $50 or more order (before shipping and tax) and receive this delicious stamp set (A Chocolate Affair - $17.95 value) absolutely FREE!  That's chocolate with no calories, people! In fact, you get one free with EACH $50 you spend, that's like LOTS of chocolate with no calories! You'll be prompted to add your free sets before you check out when ordering.

To take advantage of this irresistible, mouth-watering, scrumptious deal, head to my website and start shoppin'!

Game Day!

It has been a CRAZY busy last 3 weeks. Between our 4th little grandchild being born, going to stay there for a week to help, having our daughter, her hubby, and their 3 kiddos staying here for the past month, 3 days of canning salsa (can you say about 80 quarts?), teaching several scrapbooking classes and hosting a team meeting for my team,  I have NOT gotten a lot of creating done. I hope you will forgive me.  I hope to rectify that soon.  Very soon!

I do have something to share today...and it's creative! She was created by our son, Easton and his wife, Daysha, with a "little" help from God (lol).  This is our little Sage Siva Pedersen (photo above, not below. tee hee) at almost 1 month old. She knows it's game day!  Tonight her daddy and the Southern Utah University T-Birds take on the South Alabama University Jaguars in Mobile, Alabama.  It is available on ESPN3, live streaming. Here's the link: http://espn.go.com/watchespn/index/_/id/1028768/southern-utah-vs-south-alabama-college-football

Easton Pedersen, wide receiver (#88)

Our son, Tannon also plays for SUU. He was pretty devastated to tear the labrum in his shoulder. We are still waiting for a prognosis on whether he will have surgery right away or just try to rehab it and be ready to play a little lame in a few weeks.  As a QB, an injured shoulder is a pretty big deal. We are sad for Tannon but also so excited to see Easton play tonight. If you happen to watch the game, be sure to do a little extra cheering for wide receiver, #88: Easton Pedersen.

Tannon Pedersen (#10, QB) and Easton Pedersen (#88, WR)

Our family loves us some football!  Football season is my favorite.  I think we'll get out some of that yummy salsa I've been canning, put out some chips to go with it and spend our evening enjoying chips, salsa and football!

Win An Alphabet Stamp Set ($34.95 value)

Want to win a $34.95 value "E" sized alphabet stamp set?  It's easy!

Jeanette Lynton's (Close To My Heart CFO and Owner) blog said: "Do you know someone who loves to be in charge, the “alpha” personality that can really get things going? Are you that person? Make a comment below and share one “alpha” wish you have—the thing you would make happen if you were 100% in charge—for your chance to win one of twenty new E-size alphabet stamp sets. Would it be 25 hours in a day? Would it be calorie-free chocolate? What about oversized alphabet stamp sets that come on two 6"x6" carrier sheets that fit conveniently in your organizer? Now that’s something worth wishing for! Share your wish, simple or elaborate, and you may win a free E-sized alphabet stamp set of your choice from the new Autumn/Winter Idea Book."

Here's how:

• Just head to Jeanette Lynton's blog post about the contest: http://www.jeanettelynton.com/2013/08/be-alpha-contest.html
• Leave your comment on her blog, on Facebook, or on YouTube prior to August 31, 2013 for a chance to win.

Watch this video for more details.

August Stamp of the Month Card: Who Needs Milk?

I am still waiting to hear from Cheryl Shriber Braby.  Cheryl, you are the winner of the Designed Decor Frame Kit from this giveaway. Please email me (pedermom@aol.com) with your USA mailing address and I'll get it put in the mail to you pronto. Congrats!

I'm back today with a bit more artwork (standard 4 1/4" x 5 1/2" card) I've made with the August Stamp of the Month.  Did you know that for every $50 you spend in August, you get one of these delicious sets FREE ($17.985 value)?  Cool beans! I've included a supply list at the end of this post with links to each of the products for your convenience.  You can make your purchases on my website, or if you have questions give me a call (801.360.9896) or shoot me an email (pedermom@aol.com).

August Stamp of the Month: A Chocolate Affair

Here is a detail shot of the card, as well as a photo of our oldest granddaughter, Daci holding it. She was helping me take photos of the card and wanted to know if she could be in the photo too.  I couldn't think of a single reason why not, so here she is.  Isn't she a nice card holder?

Detail shot.  You can see the cute paisleys I stamped (from the Paisley Perfect Stamp Set) in Hollyhock Ink on Blush Cardstock to create my background paper for the card.  I also stamped a strip of White Daisy Cardstock in Cocoa Ink with the burlap feeling pattern from the Distressed Backgrounds Stamp Set to create the accent strip you see under the cookie focus piece on the card.  I love all of the textures I was able to create with stamps! Don't you? Links to all of these products are below in my supply list.

Beautiful Miss Daci

CTMH products used to create this card: August Stamp of the Month (A Chocolate Affair), Paisley Perfect Stamp Set, Distressed Backgrounds Stamp Set, Value Pack White Daisy Cards and Envelopes, Blush Cardstock, White Daisy Cardstock, Cocoa Cardstock, Cocoa Pigment Pad, Clear Embossing Powder, Cocoa Exclusive Inks Pad, Hollyhock Exclusive Inks Pad. Retired products:  Hollyhock Twill Ribbon, Blush Ric Rac, Basic Buttons.

Have a GREAT day!

WINNER, WINNER, Chicken Dinner...and Pics of our new Granddaughter!

Today is the day! The winner of the Designed Decor Frame Kit ($43.85 value) is being announced today!  Thank you to ALL OF YOU who entered.

Before I make the big announcement, I must quickly let you know that I haven't forgotten about all of you who follow my blog.  I have been out of town for the past week and a half staying with my son, Easton, his wife, Daysha and their brand new baby girl, Sage. Unfortunately their wi-fi was down so I was unable to do the blog posting I had planned on while I was there.  Check out Sage on Easton's arm at the top of this post.  How sweet is that?  After I announce the winner, I'll be sharing some more pics (thank you Nicole Bulkley Photography for doing an amazing job!)!

Drum roll please............

The winner, selected by Rafflecopter.com is......

Cheryl Shriber Braby

Cheryl, if you could please email me (pedermom@aol.com) with your mailing address in the good ol' USA, I'll get that kit mailed to you pronto!

Now, on to more pictures of Sage Siva Pedersen:

Baby Card for Mojo Monday and Close To My Heart New Products Installment #3

Be sure to check out yesterday's post and enter to win a brand new Designed Decor Frame Kit ($43.85 value).

Ready for some more new products?  I'd love to share the new paper packs that made their debut on August 1 in the brand new Autumn/Winter Idea Book. There are 6 of them (Baby Cakes, Laughing Lola, ProPlayer, Huntington, Sarita and Frosted)  and they are all delicious.  I've already stocked up with at least one of each!  As you read about each pack, notice that I've provided links to the products I'm referring to on my website  for your convenience.

1. Baby Cakes Paper Pack:  The card you see at the top of this post was made with the Baby Cakes papers.   I love that they can work for baby items, but also are versatile enough for so many other things.  The trendy greys, yellows, oranges and browns in this kit make it perfect for boys pages, girl pages, Autumn pages, family photos and so much more than baby pages and projects. And, with all of the matching accent stickers and bling you can get to go along with it, it's a must have!

I used the Baby Cakes papers to create this card inspired by this week's Mojo Monday sketch. 

Here's a close up of the card. The products used list is at the very bottom of this post.

Here is some more artwork made with Baby Cakes by the fabulous Art Department at Close To My Heart:

2.  Laughing Lola Paper Pack:  This paper pack is bright, fun, bold and fashionable!  I recently used it to complete this layout (based on one done by the CTMH Art Department) of our dancing daughter-in-law, Daysha. We will actually be making this layout, along with 2 more at my September Play Group Scrappin' Classes.  Be watching in a week or two for the announcement of this kit and how to purchase it then. Anyway, CTMH has also provided all kinds of fun accent options that match this paper packet.

This beautiful home decor item was created using Laughing Lola by the Art Department:

3.  ProPlayer Paper Pack:  I love this pack! The blues, greys, reds and blacks combine for such a masculine feel.  The matching accents are just perfect too!  Whether you want to use this packet theme specific for "gaming" photos, or whether you just want to include some photos of your boy(s), sports photos, family photos, or even swimming photos (the possibilities are endless!) you'll love the way they are complemented by these papers!  I can't wait to scrapbook some of my boys' sports photos on this paper. The matching accents are killer too!

How cute is this new Flip Stand Album?  Love it too!

4.  Huntington Paper Pack:  Don't you feel warm just looking at it?  It's full of warm, cozy, Autumn feeling colors and combines that with elegance. In fact, I almost want to redecorate my home to match.  Looking at these papers makes me feel like I'm all snuggled up in a warm family room by the fireplace.  Just gorgeous. The matching accents perfectly complement the elegantly warm papers as well.

Beautiful layout using the Huntington papers made by the CTMH Art Department.

5. Sarita Paper Pack:  Blues, golds, oranges and geometric prints!  Perfection.  These papers, along with their matching accents are so versatile, they really can be used for ANYTHING! 

Sarita layout made by the CTMH Art Department

6.  Frosted Paper Pack:  Calm, cool and collected. That's exactly how I'd describe this paper pack.  I love it for Christmas and/or Winter photos, as well as anything you really want to see POP.  Bright colored photos would really take center stage on these muted, soft colored papers.  Beautiful! The matching accents are equally as "cool"!

Frosted layout made by the CTMH Art Department

As promised, here is the CTMH products used list for the Baby Cakes card I created and shared at the top of the post:  New Arrival Stamp Set, Baby Cakes Paper Pack, Whisper Cardstock, White Daisy Value Pack Cards and Envelopes, Chocolate Stamp Pad, Watercolor Pencils, Just Blooms Paper Flowers (retired), Honey Mini Medley (retired), 3D Foam Tape.

Have a great day! 

FRAME GIVEWAY and New Close To My Heart Products Installment #2

Welcome!  Today I want to focus on a two new Close To My Heart products that are beautiful for your home!  And...(drum roll please) I will be giving one of them away ($43.85 prize!) for FREE.  Yeah, baby!  You can also purchase either (or both) of them on my website, 24/7...we never sleep!

New product #1:  Our new Designed Decor Colonial White Frames are so stinkin' cute!  I love them.  The interior dimensions of this frame are 12" x 13 1/2".  The wood is painted a warm, creamy colonial white and the inside is lined in chicken wire.  There is also a sawtooth hanger on the back. The possibilities of what you can do with this frame are enless.  I'll share a few ideas on a moment. But, first a bit more about the frame itself:  You can buy them by themselves or in a workshop kit. In fact, I am giving away one workshop kit ($43.85 value). The workshop kit includes: 1-Designed Decor Colonial White Frame, 1-My Acrylix Frame Stamp Set {so cute!}, 33-Kraft Paper Die Cut Shapes, 6-Mini Wooden Clothespins, and 1-Bakers Twine Hemp {1 yd}.  You have between now (August 7) and Friday, August 16 to enter.   I will be announcing the winner on my blog on Monday, August 19. Important note: you must live in the USA to win.

Here's how to enter:

a Rafflecopter giveaway Great Ideas of ways to use this frame:

• To hang jewelry on using our new Hook Clips
• To clip little girl hair bows too
• A collage of family photos
• A collage of vacation photos
• To fill with photos of your child from each year of school (first day of school or school photo)

Here's a fun photo of a frame being used to hold hair accessories and jewelry:

And another great idea: as a display to remind you of goals or other fun things:

New product #2:   Another Designed Decor Frame:  this one is painted stylish black and the center is lined with 5 heavy duty clothes line wires.  So cool! Perfect for job charts, fun photo collages, to display fun artwork, and so much more!  Inside dimensions are 13 1/2" x 12". Here are two fun examples of ways to use this frame:

 

I'm so excited to be able to share this awesome Designed Decor workshop with one lucky reader!  Be sure to check back on August 19 for the announcement!  In the meantime, keep checking back for more fun blog posts.

Oreo Cookie Layout with the August Stamp of the Month...and a NEW Grandbaby!

Be sure to check back tomorrow for Installment 2 of the New Product Announcements, as well as a chance to win a FREE prize...and it's a good 'un!

 
Remember this post last month where I shared the beginnings of a family recipe scrapbook I have decided to create?  Well here I am again with another page (and recipe). This one is for our family's homemade oreo cookies.  I included a photo of our granddaughter, Daci and I making them. This photo was taken a year and a half ago when her twin siblings were born and I went and stayed with them at their home in Chicago to help (so glad they have moved back to Utah!).  I knew Daci needed a little one-on-one grandma time.  Those twins were taking ALL of our time and efforts.  Do you KNOW how much work twins are?  We do!  Anyway, I digress.  We spent a few hours making (and eating) Oreo cookies and had tons of fun. I love that memory! If you want to see the layout in more detail, just click on the photo. I'm pretty sure you'll be able to write down the recipe that way and enjoy some homemade Oreos yourselves too!

Speaking of grandchildren, we just got our 4th!  We are so excited. If you are interested in seeing our beautiful Sage Siva, I'll share some pics at the end of this post. Back to the layout...

I used the sweeter than sweet August Stamp of the Month (A Chocolate Affair) to create this page. I love how it turned out! Did you know that you can get this stamp set FREE ($17.95 value) in August!  For every $50 you spend (before shipping and tax) you spend in August,  you get one of these little puppies FREE!  Just head to my website and start shoppin'...or feel free to call or email me with your order as well  (801.360.9896, pedermom@aol.com).

August Stamp of the Month: A Chocolate Affair (free in August with every $50 spent). Actual size of carrier sheet is 6" x 6".

Here are a few detail shots of the layout.  Following them, you'll find a complete supply list of the items I used to complete the layout.

I used some of our Dimensional Elements Monogram letters, stamped them with the awesome houndstooth patterned stamp in the Distressed Backgrounds stamp set in Cocoa Pigment Ink, and embossed them using Clear Embossing Powder and my trusty Heat Gun. I then sponged the edges with a Round Sponge and my Cocoa Exclusive Inks Pad.  I also embossed the Oreo cookies using the Cocoa Pigment Ink and Clear Embossing Powder. (Links to all of these products are in the supply list at the bottom of this post).

I created my own patterned paper with Blush Cardstock, the Paisley Perfect stamp set and my Hollyhock Exclusive Inks Pad.  the "Who Needs Milk" sentiment from the August Stamp of the Month was stamped on Hollyhock Cardstock with the Cocoa Pigment Pad and embossed with Clear Embossing Powder. (Links to all of these products are in the supply list at the bottom of this post).

Close To My Heart products used:  August Stamp of the Month (A Chocolate Affair),  Paisley Perfect Stamp Set, Distressed Backgrounds Stamp Set, Cocoa Cardstock, Hollyhock Cardstock, Blush Cardstock, White Daisy Cardstock, Cocoa Pigment Pad, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Gun, Hollyhock Exclusive Inks Pad, Cocoa Exclusive Inks Pad, Round Sponge, Dimensional Elements Monogram Letters.

No onto (in my humble opinion) the best part of this post...our newest grandchild (#4!).  Easton and Daysha had their first little one on August 1. She is a beauty.  Sage Siva Pedersen weighed 6 lbs. 7 oz. and was 19 1/2" long.  She already has us wrapped around her tiny little fingers!

NEW Close To My Heart Products - Installment 1

As promised, I'm back to tell you about some of our brand new Close To My Heart products that debuted yesterday in the new Autumn/Winter Idea Book. I'll be talking about 3 new products today.   I'll also be breaking new product descriptions and my thoughts on them into several posts, so keep checking back over the next few weeks for more, more and more.

1.  The first product I wanted to focus on is the new Artbooking CTMH/Cricut Cartridge.  This is the 3rd exclusive cartridge that CTMH has collaborated on with Cricut and it's revolutionary!  You're gonna LOVE it, my friends!  It takes all of the guess work out of scrapbooking for you!  There are still the hard to believe 700 images in this cartridge this time, just like the other two, but this is a cartridge with a twist.  I am pretty excited about it!  It will help you take your scrapbooking to never-before-seen levels!  With oodles of images in each of 15 layout themes, you can create several coordinating pages for each theme using just two keys and one dial size. For instance, if you are creating a 12"x 12" page, just set your size at 11" and it will cut every single page piece to size for a 12" x 12" page (like the layout below). No more guessing on title sizes, accent sizes, etc! Images include accents, borders, titles, overlays, photo mats (in standard photo sizes) and more! Check out the layout below that was beautifully made with this cartridge. In addition to the new font and page designs, this cartridge also includes 10 themed mini-books (like the one below), also optimized for several different sizes using just two keys and one dial size!  Celebrate birthdays, new baby, vacations, friends, sports, Halloween, Christmas and more!

one of the many Artbooking mini-books

A beautiful Artbooking layout

The collection comes with the cartridge, an instructional book as well as pages of each key's images, 3 sets of coordinating stamps and 3 coordinating sheets of chipboard shapes.  All of this for only $99.




See and purchase the Artbooking Cricut Collection on my website here. 

2.  Our new Base and Bling Wearable Craft Collections:   You can now show off your creativity anywhere you go with our new Base and Bling wearable crafting projects.  You will love dressing up these affordable, lightweight fashion accessories with our textiles and specially designed Base & Bling adhesive-backed jewels and accents - so simple and quick, you'll want to make several items in different colors. See and purchase the Base and Bling products on my website here.

There are many base and bling options to choose from!

There's even a workshop kit to make this very necklace for only $14.95!

I personally made the necklace in the photo above and it took less than an hour! Easy, peasy, lemon squeasy!

3.  The last product I wanted to feature today is one that EVERY scrapbooker and card maker needs!  It is the scrapbooking and card making how-to magazine:  Make it from Your Heart - Volume 2.  This 48 page volume is essential for creating beautiful scrapbook layouts and cards.  With patterns inspired by Jeanette Lynton it features sixteen 2-page layout patterns, two 1- page layout patterns, and 12 different card patterns. You'll also find detailed blueprints, cutting diagrams, full-color artwork, and helpful hints for the creating process.  In addition to being affordable, it's lightweight, softbound and easy to carry to crops and club nights.

These 2 quick pics were taken with my awful phone camera but I wanted you to get the idea:

Make It From Your Heart Volume 2: Cover

Example of layout with blueprint, cutting guide, and helpful hints.

You can see and purchase this awesome little ditty on my website here.